Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
12 October 2020
|
Story Arina Engelbrecht
|
Photo Supplied
Arina Engelbrecht from Organisational Development and Employee Well-being believes physical activity has a number of benefits for one’s health, including stress relief.
Being physically active plays a big role in preventing the development of mental-health problems and in improving the quality of life of people experiencing mental-health problems.
Treatment for depression
Physical activity can be an alternative treatment for depression. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with medication and/or psychological therapy. It promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns are formed that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It releases endorphins – powerful chemicals in the brain that energise your spirit and make you feel good.
Physical activity can be very effective in relieving stress. Research in adults has found that physically active individuals tend to have lower stress levels compared to individuals who are less active. It also leads to improved sleep. When a person sleeps better and feels more rested, overall quality of life improves. They cope better with daily life stressors.
Reduce Alzheimer's risk
Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 50%. It can also slow down further deterioration in those who have already started to develop cognitive problems. It stimulates the brain’s ability to maintain old connections as well as to make new ones.
A study asked people to rate their mood immediately after periods of physical activity (e.g. going for a walk/run, cycling, doing housework) and periods of inactivity (e.g. reading a book or watching television). Researchers found that participants felt more content, more awake, and calmer after being physically active compared to after periods of inactivity.
In conclusion, people who are physically active feel a sense of well-being, feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives.
“Being physically active not only changes your body, it changes your mind,
attitude, and your mood.” – Arina Engelbrecht
Animal Science holds annual meeting
2008-03-06
 |
|
The Free State branch of the South African Association for Animal Sciences recently held its general annual meeting on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. Mr Charl Hunlin of SA Stud Book gave a presentation on the use of information from routine notes on animals for the enhancement of races and herds. A highlight of the meeting was the presence of Mr Lullu de Jager, founder chairperson of this association that was established on 2 February 1979, then known as the South African Association for Animal Production. At the occasion were, from the left: Mr Willie Combrinck (secretary and treasurer of the association), Mr Hendrik van Pletzen, (vice-chairperson of the association, from Voermol), Prof. H.O. de Waal (chairperson of the association and associate professor in the Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the UFS), and Mr de Jager.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
|